PepsiCo has announced a series of changes to its executive structure designed to advance its growth strategy.
Over the past year, the company has unified its North America businesses, continued investments in advanced technology and AI, strengthened its brands, modernized its manufacturing and enhanced its warehouse and distribution capabilities.
“These efforts have made us into a more agile and future-ready organization,” the company noted in a statement. “Today, we’re announcing a series of organizational changes that mark our next step.”
Steven Williams, who has served as CEO of PepsiCo North America for the past year, has been appointed executive vice president and vice chairman, global chief commercial officer (CCO) and corporate affairs, effective Dec. 28, 2025. In this new role, Williams will focus on building a unified PepsiCo selling organization, developing a global strategy to accelerate growth for the company’s away-from-home business, and engaging stakeholders to support growth in the U.S. and around the world.
With Williams stepping into his new position, Ram Krishnan will become CEO, PepsiCo North America, effective Dec. 28, 2025. He will take on an aggressive agenda accelerating the integration of foods and beverages operations, where it creates value and enables the company to better meet the needs of both consumers and customers.
Krishnan has a strong record of success at PepsiCo, most recently building momentum in U.S. Beverages through portfolio innovation and go-to-market transformation. His experience across categories, geographies and functions will enable him to approach his work with an end-to-end, consumer-first mindset.
Krishnan’s organization will include:
- Rachel Ferdinando, who will remain CEO of the U.S. foods category
- Mike Del Pozzo, who will be promoted to president of the U.S. beverages category and join the PepsiCo executive committee
- Gregg Roden, who will continue to lead the North America supply chain team
- Bryan Santee, who will lead the U.S. commercial and go-to-market teams as chief commercial officer, U.S.
Additional teams reporting to Krishnan include: foods and beverages field sales; strategic partnerships and franchise; the newly integrated Texoma region, where the company is piloting combined foods and beverages operations; global foodservice; and PepsiCo Canada.
Athina Kanioura has been appointed CEO of Latin America Foods, in addition to her role as chief strategy and transformation officer, effective Dec. 28, 2025. She will succeed Paula Santilli, who will retire after a distinguished 35-year career at PepsiCo.
Under Santilli’s leadership, the Latin America team achieved significant growth and enabled a culture of talent development and inclusion. Santilli will remain with the company through July to support Kanioura’s transition. Kanioura has played a key role in shaping PepsiCo’s strategy and leading global capabilities transformation, and brings extensive experience in transformation and technology. Under her leadership, Latin America Foods will continue to innovate with digital-first solutions, leverage AI and pilot new culinary initiatives that excite consumers.
“These organizational changes strengthen the progress we have made and position PepsiCo to capture new opportunities for growth,” the statement continued. “With a sharpened focus, enhanced leadership and an integrated approach, we believe we are well-positioned to perform to our full potential and deliver value for our customers, consumers, shareholders and employees.”
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